The Wall Street Journal‘s online Market Watch section, reports that “Pink Taco Closes Scottsdale Restaurant, Focuses Operations on Southern California.”

Below is the release.

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EATERAZ recently caught up with former 944 Phoenix Magazine Editor Laurel May, to chat about her plans for a chef tell-all book.

EAZ: So you’re working on a book?
Laurel May: Yep. Well, it started out as a joke, among family and friends or whatever. I sat through a million super pretentious four-hour meals bored out of my skull, or I’d walk into the kitchen of the restaurants my husband worked at or ran, and find some skank shaking her junk all over the pass and I would always threaten to write a book and call it Epifurious. It has been a long time coming.

EAZ: So you’re bitter?
LM: No. Well, maybe a little. It’s more of a public service announcement – I know there’s tons of women that think it would be a dream come true to be married to a chef. The reality is, that it can be an incredibly unpleasant and trying experience. You’ve got to plan on spending every holiday alone, you’ve got to be able to deal with the chef groupies, you have to be friendly with the horny hostess, you’ve got to eat turtle penis or whatever else comes down the pike with a smile on your face. You have to CHEW it.

EAZ: So is the book strictly based on your own experience?
LM: Nope. I live in San Francisco now, and I meet loads and loads of chefs and people who are involved with them personally. I have a friend here in SF who’s been through a similar experience – the wringer, basically. She’s also the ex-wife of a prominent Valley chef, I’m not going to out her but we’re collaborating.

EAZ: Will you name names?
LM: I’m definitely going to sling some hash, if you catch my drift. Being a chef is sort of like being in a fraternity. There’s a ton of pretty sordid monkey business going on — drugs, infidelity, general naughty behavior. I won’t be naming names, but the stories are definitely true. It will be a page turner, I promise.

EAZ: Surely there must have been some upside to being married to a chef interesting people and dinner parties, incredible food and wine, your own personal chef, etc…?
LM: Of course. To roll into the best restaurants in places like Barcelona (Spain, not Scottsdale) or NYC and not have to wait for a table, to not even see a menu and to be treated like royalty, it’s fabulous. My palate’s definitely been refined, I know bullshit food when I taste it now, it’s a glamorous life. I can tell you though, that there’s no damn breakfast in bed! It’s nice to be along for the ride, but in the end – nobody cares what you think. You’re just the “chef’s wife.”

EAZ: Do bad boys become chefs, or are all chefs bad boys?
LM: Well, I’m not sure but there are more chefs in prison than any other profession. You do the math.

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A special report from your North-Central Phoenix field reporter

Luci’s Healthy Marketplace has opened on what just might be the hottest restaurant corner in all of Phoenix – 16th Street and Bethany Home Road. Luci’s joins its neighbors: Richardson’s, Dick’s Hideaway, Phoenix City Grill, Texaz and the Rokerij. Now, don’t get me wrong….Luci’s is not going to be a hot happy hour or dinner spot, but it IS what this established neighborhood has been craving…a locally-owned market with a focus on a healthy lifestyle, based on quality organic and natural products from local and regional vendors. And you can grab freshly-prepared dinners to go.

There is a coffee bar & bakery that features locally-roasted coffee, healthy teas and fresh baked goods in a comfortable seating area that includes TVs and Wi-Fi. A grocery store with meats, cheeses, dairy, seafood and all of the basics that just might help you avoid the less-than-exciting chain grocers in the neighborhood. But, what MOST impressed this North-Central native was the friendly, helpful staff (including the two owners) and the over-the-top-fab supply of natural, non-edible products including supplements, cosmetics, toiletries, baby and pet care needs and cleaning products.

Now, with Richardson’s and Dick’s patrons often crowding the parking lot to this newly redesigned building, and having done 3 drive-bys myself before actually going IN to Luci’s, I am happy to report my new discovery. There is a BACK entrance to this plaza, and a door from the back parking lot gives easy access into the store even when the happy hour crowd takes over. I won’t let a perceived lack of parking scare me off!

Coming soon: cooking demonstrations in Luci’s professional Viking test kitchen and educational and entertainment events. Love-love-love this place! Plus, you can still wave to your friends on the patio over at Starbuck’s until they get a clue.

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“Coming into Hanny’s, you’ll immediately spot the gleaming red prosciutto slicer and a wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano on the counter. They’re a reassuring sight.

What had been a landmark department store is now an eye-catching restaurant and lounge, courtesy of Karl Kopp, the man behind Scottsdale’s AZ88. The airy space has been beautifully restored, incorporating the handsome columns and designer names – Christian Dior, Hickey Freeman – etched on the walls. A huge bar dominates the middle of the room. Along with well-crafted classic (and smallish) cocktails – Manhattan ($6.50), sidecar ($8), Pimm’s Cup ($8) – there’s the usual assortment of trendy martinis, wines and beers.”

Click here to read full review

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Click image to enlarge this insane shot.

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(One of the potential names for new concept above)

e4 nightclub apparently has one more breath in it before the big flatline. The ever-affable and surprisingly un-club-owner-like Aron Mezo poured his heart and soul into the place back in its heyday, so we can respect his efforts to make a real go of it. But then he left and so did most of the designer denim crowd (any any shred of energy). But he’s back, trying to spark something new in the old building while it waits for a buyer (see EATERAZ’s story on the listing http://www.eateraz.com/?p=747)

For now, Mezo plans on turning e4 into Old Town’s only dedicated after-hours spot. ‘Till 4 am on Fridays and Saturdays, he’s planning the following:

• Earth Room will be a chill room, serving late night munchies, coffee/espresso, hangover remedies.
• The Patio will take cues from Vegas with fake blackjack, a cigar smokers lounge, hookahs.
• The main dance room, Water, will be the same but serve lots and lots of Red Bulls and energy shots and water for real e, um, e4 fans.
• Fire room details are still vague … We shall see.

He’s thinking of getting things going April 3-ish. Stay tuned…

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Tequila fans gathered last Saturday afternoon in Heritage Square for Tequilaaz! put together by Dave Johnson who doubles as the Wine Director for Aaron May at Sol Y Sombra. Reps and owners from brands such as Patron, Don Julio, Chinaco, Dos Lunas, 3 Amigos Jose Cuervo, Sol and even the prestigious Mezcal of Ron Cooper’s Del Maguey, were all in attendance. Amazing Halibut Ceviche was being dished out by Mel Mecinas of the Four Seasons, and Juan Jaime’s & Piñatas‘ street tacos were the perfect tequila-absorbers.

All proceeds from Tequilaaz! went to support Valley Fever Arts Festival and Community Food Connections(CFC), and the Downtown Phoenix Public Market.

Click thumbnails to enlarge

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Owner Craig DeMarco will be monitoring his new store from high above. The doors officially open at 11am, so get your drink on early.

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We love watching the passionate rivalry between the Phoenix New Times and The AZ Republic‘s resident food critic Howard Seftel. So when we saw longtime Phoenix food gal Nikki Buchanan having a mid-afternoon snack at Digestif with the restaurant’s lead schtick Pavle Milic, we thought: “we’re outting her!”

But then we saw her own mug on the contributor’s page of Arizona Highways, where she dons a dark red wig as disguise, so we thought, “eh, it’s not that exciting anymore, but we’ll post the picture anyway.”

Still, what’s she doing canoodling with the staff? Was she negotiating a star rating? Offering suggestions on the service? Or waiting on her Absinthe? Regardless, you should really go to newsstands now and read her funky round-up of restaurants around the state in the current Arizona Highways. (Or, you can contribute to the demise of magazine publishing and just go online to read the digital version for free). Her roundup is thankfully void of the usual suspects and includes a lot of places we’ve never even heard of–so thanks for that Nikki B.

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The Stone Rose Lounge One Year Anniversary is free to attend. Party goers are invited to make reservations to stay at the Fairmont Scottsdale the evening of the party at a discounted rate. As an anniversary gift to the Scottsdale socialites, the bar and lounge is pleased to offer $149 room rates that can be reserved using code SR1YR when contacting hotel reservations. Table reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 480-419-3190.

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